"Maid Dancing on Stage"... Two Variant Maid Cafes Caught

Operating Paid "Live Show" Menu Violates Food Sanitation Act
Entertainment Services Prohibited at General Restaurants... Guidance for Correction

Two cafe owners who operated a paid service involving employees dressed in maid costumes dancing in front of customers have been apprehended by the police.

Mapo Police Station, Seoul. Photo by Ji-Eun Oh

The Mapo Police Station in Seoul announced on September 10 that two individuals, including Mr. A, have been booked without detention on suspicion of violating business compliance obligations under the Food Sanitation Act.

According to the police, Mr. A and others are suspected of receiving orders for a paid service called a "live show," in which employees dressed in maid costumes danced to music on a stage installed inside the establishment.

Of the 29 maid cafes within Mapo District, most are registered as general restaurants. General restaurants are businesses that provide meals and beverages; under the Food Sanitation Act, they are not allowed to engage in entertainment activities such as pouring or consuming alcohol with customers, singing, or dancing to create an atmosphere of amusement.

The police cracked down on illegal business practices at 19 locations suspected of violations from August 12 to September 7. In addition to the "live show," the crackdown also monitored practices such as ▲ employees consuming alcohol with customers ("joint drinking service") ▲ hiring minors or conversations aimed at sexual exploitation ▲ and taking photos outside the establishment for money.

A police official stated, "The preliminary on-site investigation found that more businesses were running joint drinking services or offering a live show menu," and added, "The crackdown has had a self-purification effect, with business owners voluntarily ceasing illegal activities."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.